The “Dallas” movie could be turned into a comedy; Betty Thomas will direct; and John Travolta will give us the sly sneers of Larry Hagman’s JR Ewing.

The “Dallas” television series, featuring a wealthy Texan oil family, was on TV screens around the world for ages. As the soap opera ran from 1978 to 1991, most of its characters had the chance to grow up, mature, grow old… and even die.

It was hard for viewers to tire of the machinations, back stabbings and double scheming the show abounded in or of the various personal tragedies its numerous characters all went through.

Now that “Bend It Like Beckham” director Gurinder Chadha has left the project, the “Dallas” movie could well become a comedy, according to Variety. The paper’s website reports that Betty Thomas, who directed spoof film “The Brady Bunch,” is now negotiating to direct it.

John Travolta will star as the sly and endlessly ambitious JR Ewing, a character Larry Hagman made famous and became famous for in the ‘80s soap.

Preparing the team behind “Dallas” has not been without troubles. Betty Thomas is the third director in talks, after Australian film-maker Robert Luketic, the first to sign to direct, before Chadha took over last year.

Filming reportedly begins in January. Pam Brady is currently preparing the script.

Others actors attached to play in the movie are Luke Wilson, who would star as Bobby Ewing, as well as Meg Ryan, who is still in talks with the producers to play Sue Ellen. Jennifer Lopez was originally set to play this latter character, but then dropped out, according to Variety. Shirley MacLaine will play Miss Ellie.

Among the actors in the series’ original main cast are Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Linda Gray and Charlene Tilton.

Other actors to have appeared on the show are Priscilla Presley, Lesley-Anne Down, Jack Scalia and Ian McShane.